Without being aware of it, European citizens rely on space technologies when they use their mobile phones, do financial transactions, take an airplane, watch the weather forecast or look for the nearest restaurant in their cars.

10. Calls on the Russian authorities to immediately return the wreckage of the Tu-154 Polish Government airplane and all of its black boxes to Poland; underlines the fact that the level of dependence of the Russian judiciary on the authorities undermines any impartial and honest investigation; calls for an international and independent investigation into the causes of the crash of the Tu‑154 Polish Government airplane, in line with the decisions and actions taken after the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17;

Without being aware of it, European citizens rely on space technologies when they use their mobile phones, do financial transactions, take an airplane, watch the weather forecast or look for the nearest restaurant in their cars.

I have no doubts that there should be a categorical and unequivocal ban in this particular case. This is not only because the use of these weapons, though obviously only in defence of passengers and crew, in itself poses a danger in the rather fragile environment of an airplane, but also for another reason, namely that weapons may provoke passengers who might otherwise have boarded the plane without any aggressive intentions.

I have no doubts that there should be a categorical and unequivocal ban in this particular case. This is not only because the use of these weapons, though obviously only in defence of passengers and crew, in itself poses a danger in the rather fragile environment of an airplane, but also for another reason, namely that weapons may provoke passengers who might otherwise have boarded the plane without any aggressive intentions.

But in the context of my last trip, there was an active ``alert'' — somebody in one of the U.S. agencies had learned that smaller airplanes, and when I say ``smaller'' I mean airplanes under 12.5 thousand pounds were being targeted by some group or other who was going to take one over fully fuelled and, indeed, my largest airplane fully fuelled would do a considerable amount of damage.

All information and content displayed on this site (“Content”) is the property of their respective owners. This “Content” is provided to you “as is” and you agree to use it at your own risk. We assume no liability for the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this information. For any matter concerning the site or its use, including any dispute, only Belgian law will apply, and only the courts of Brussels will have jurisdiction. By using the site, you thereby accept all the conditions of use.